One week Snapshot Report By Rendon Group – 06 January 2014
Cambodian Worker and Opposition Protests
News summary of events related to the Cambodian worker and opposition protests from 31DEC-06JAN:
- On 31DEC, in response to continued protests by thousands of workers, the Cambodian Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training announced a planned increase to the minimum monthly wage from USD80 to USD100 starting in February 2014. (Kyodo)
- On 02JAN, a brief clash between security forces and striking workers took place at a Cambodian garment factory on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, leaving several protesters injured and ten arrested. (Xinhua)
- On 02JAN, the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (LICADHO) denounced the crackdown on striking garment workers by a special military unit, describing it as a “disturbing new tactic” by the authorities. (AFP)
- On 02JAN, the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) decided to postpone a talk over ongoing political row with the Prime Minister Hun Sen’s ruling party, which was scheduled for 03JAN. (Xinhua)
- On 03JAN, Cambodian police opened fire on protesting garment workers, leaving at least three people dead. (AFP)
- On 03JAN, the US State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf appealed for peaceful dialogue after police opened fire on protesting garment workers. (AFP)
- On 04JAN, Cambodian authorities dispersed opposition protesters from their rally base in Phnom Penh and halted further protests against Prime Minister Hun Sen. (AFP)
- On 04JAN, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court summoned opposition leader Sam Rainsy and his deputy Kem Sokha to question them about their possible involvement in inciting felony or causing social chaos. (Xinhua)
Sample of Twitter handles regarding the Cambodian worker and opposition protests:
@JackBoard – Jackson Board, senior international reporter & producer, Channel News Asia
@prakchanthul – Chan Thul Prak, Reuters journalist based in Phnom Penh
@doyle_kevin – Kevin Doyle, journalist covering Cambodia
@jrousselot – Juliette Rousselot, human rights advocate and consultant in Phnom Penh
@laurencro – Lauren Crothers, journalist and photographer based in Phnom Penh
Sample of Third Party Validators regarding Cambodia:
Naly Pilorge, Director, human rights group LICADHO (Cambodia)
“I hope that the government would begin to exercise restraint, but their actions today show a complete disregard for the rights and indeed the lives of their own citizens.” – Cambodia launches broad crackdown on opposition, Associated Press, 04JAN13
Ath Thorn, President, Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Workers’ Democratic Union
“If the government or employers agree to restart negotiations within three days—today, tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow—we would negotiate with workers to postpone the protest.” – Cambodian Garment Workers Return to Streets, Wall Street Journal, 02JAN14
Yeng Virak, Executive Director, Community Legal Education Center (Cambodia)
“It seems like a turning point in the history of civil society. People feel more free to join protests and to identify themselves as part of the opposition.” – Rally Draws a Diverse Group of Protesters in Cambodia, New York Times, 29DEC13
Ou Virak, President, Cambodian Center for Human Rights
“The majority of the people want change. But they don’t know what that change would look like.” – Rally Draws a Diverse Group of Protesters in Cambodia, New York Times, 29DEC13
Chea Mony, President, Free Trade Union of Workers (Cambodia)
“The government and the factory owners know that workers cannot survive with the current salary, but why can’t they agree to increase the wages?” – Garment workers rally against Cambodian government, Associated Press, 26DEC13
Sample of open source research by TRG analysts related to the Cambodian worker and opposition:
Cambodian court summons opposition leaders over deadly clash
Media: Xinhua (China)Byline: N/A
Date: 04 January 2014
PHNOM PENH, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) — The Phnom Penh Municipal Court has summoned the country’s main opposition party leader Sam Rainsy and his deputy Kem Sokha to question about their possible involvement in inciting felony or causing social chaos.
According to two separate summons signed by the court’s deputy prosecutor Heang Sopheak on Friday and released to the media on Saturday, Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha are summoned to appear at the court in the morning of Jan. 14.
The two opposition leaders would be questioned about “inciting to commit felony or conducting actions that cause serious chaos to social security,” said the summons.
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US urges ‘restraint’ in Cambodia after violence
Media: Agence France-Presse (AFP)
Byline: N/A
Date: 03 January 2014
WASHINGTON, Jan 03, 2014 (AFP) – The United States on Friday appealed for peaceful dialogue and denounced violence in Cambodia after police opened fire on protesting garment workers, killing three people.
“The United States deeply regrets the recent loss of life in Cambodia during violent clashes between protesters and government security forces,” State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf told reporters.
“We condemn violence as a means to achieve political or other objectives and urge all sides to exercise maximum restraint and show respect for the rule of law,” Harf said.
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Cambodia’s opposition party suspends talk plan with ruling party
Media: Xinhua (China)
Byline: N/A
Date: 02 January 2014
PHNOM PENH, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) — The country’s main opposition party on Thursday decided to postpone a talk over ongoing political row with the Prime Minister Hun Sen’s ruling party, which was scheduled on Friday.
“The working group of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) decides to suspend a talk plan over political dispute with the ruling Cambodian People’s Party, which is scheduled on Jan. 3,” a CNRP’s statement said.
The decision came after the Cambodian authorities on Thursday cracked down on hundreds of striking workers at a garment factory on the outskirts of capital Phnom Penh, the statement said, adding that the CNRP would resume talks with the ruling party only if the authorities stop using violence against protesters.
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Cambodian activists decry crackdown on strikers
Media: Agence France-Presse (AFP)
Byline: N/A
Date: 02 January 2014
PHNOM PENH, Jan 02, 2014 (AFP) – Cambodian human rights campaigners denounced a crackdown Thursday on striking garment workers by a special military unit, describing it as a “disturbing new tactic” by the authorities.
The incident comes against a backdrop of growing public protests against the kingdom’s long-ruling Prime Minister Hun Sen, who was handed a new five-year term in September following disputed elections.
Soldiers were seen brandishing metal pipes, knives, AK47 rifles, slingshots and batons at the scene of Thursday’s protest, according to the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (LICADHO).
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Cambodian garment workers to receive $100 per month from Feb
Byline: N/A
Date: 31 December 2013
PHNOM PENH, Dec. 31 – In response to continued protests by thousands of workers, the Cambodian government has decided to increase their current minimum monthly wage from $80 to $100 starting in February next year, according to a statement released Tuesday.
In the statement, the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training said workers at garment and footwear sectors will receive a minimum monthly wage of $100 starting Feb. 1, 2014.
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As a copy in this history blog, only format/few words has been changed
